Cholesterol-lowering drugs are often given to help protect people from heart disease, strokes, and other serious health problems—especially as they get older. These medicines help keep blood vessels healthy and lower the chances of heart attacks and even diabetes.
Most of the time, they work very well. But new research shows that these drugs may also have some unexpected effects on the body.
The most common type of cholesterol medicine is called a statin. You might have heard of statins with brand names like Lipitor or Crestor. Statins work by slowing down the body’s ability to make cholesterol.
There’s also a newer type of drug called PCSK9 inhibitors. These medicines work differently. Instead of stopping the body from making cholesterol, they help clear cholesterol that is already in the cells. PCSK9 inhibitors are usually used when statins don’t work well enough.
Recently, scientists looked at how these medicines affect more than just cholesterol levels. Their findings were surprising.
Some people taking PCSK9 inhibitors may have a slightly higher risk of lung problems. These drugs haven’t been around as long as statins, so researchers are still learning about all their possible side effects.
Statins have been used for many years and are known to be safe for most people. But some people may notice unexpected changes, like gaining weight or having more body fat. Others may find that their testosterone levels are lower than usual. Testosterone is a hormone that affects energy, mood, and muscle strength in both men and women.
Interestingly, the study also found a possible benefit of statins that scientists didn’t expect. People taking statins may have a larger hippocampus—the part of the brain involved in memory and emotions.
A bigger hippocampus might help protect against memory loss, depression, and even dementia. So while some side effects could be unwanted, others might actually be helpful.
The study was led by Kitty Pham, a PhD student at the University of South Australia. Instead of doing a regular drug trial, her team used genetic information to explore how these drugs affect the body.
Our genes are like instructions for how our bodies work. By studying people’s genetic data, the researchers were able to predict how cholesterol-lowering drugs might impact things like weight, hormone levels, and brain health.
This kind of research is useful because it can show how medicines affect the body over time without having to run long and expensive trials.
So what should you do with this information? If you are taking cholesterol-lowering medicine, don’t stop taking it. These drugs have saved many lives. But it’s good to be aware of possible side effects.
If you notice changes like weight gain, mood changes, or trouble breathing, talk to your doctor. They can help decide whether you should adjust your treatment.
Medicines are helpful tools, but they affect everyone a little differently. Your doctor can help you find the right balance between benefits and risks.
This research was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. It shows how science is always learning more about how medicine works in the body. The more we understand, the better doctors can help people stay healthy and live longer.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease, and coconut sugar could help reduce artery stiffness.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
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